Marta Black

LL.B (Hons) (Waikato) 2019

Marta is a senior solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team, with a particular focus on civil litigation and relationship property disputes. Marta has a first-class honours degree in law. She joined the team at Willis Legal in early 2022 after spending two years as a judges clerk at the Christchurch High Court.

In her spare time, she enjoys all the beautiful outdoor activities the Hawke’s Bay has to offer, in particular the beaches!

Personal Assistant

Rebecca Scott

Contact Marta

Email: mblack@willislegal.co.nz

Valerie Houkamau

LLB, BA (Otago) 2022

Valerie grew up within the tribal lands of Ngati Porou, where she returned to Hawke’s Bay to attend St Joseph’s Maori Girls’ College. Valerie studied at Otago University of Dunedin where she completed a conjoint degree of a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Maori Studies. During her time in Dunedin, Valerie was a senior tutor for the largest Maori paper and she played a huge role in implementing tikanga within Te Roopu Whai Putake (Maori Law Students Association). She also gained practical experience volunteering at Community Law Otago and the Ngai Tahu Community Maori Law Centre.

Valerie first began her legal career at Willis Legal in November 2019 as a summer intern and was recently admitted to the bar. Valerie is excited to begin her legal career at Willis Legal working in the Property Team with Kevin Callinicos.

Personal Assistant

Toni Torr

Contact Valerie

Email: vhoukamau@willislegal.co.nz

Janet Vaiusu-Tuala

LL.M (Waikato) 2013

Janet is a tama’ita’i Samoa who grew up in Te Matau-a-Maui/Hawkes Bay, before spending 10 years in Waikato where she completed a LL.M (second class hons) at the University of Waikato. Janet was President of the Pacific Law Students Association and Samoan Students Association and was an integral part of developing the Pacific Plan for the University in 2018. Janet began practising as an in-house litigation lawyer for Oranga Tamariki in Ōtepoti/Dunedin and after two Southland winters, Janet and her aiga/family moved home to Paharakeke/Flaxmere. Janet continued working for Oranga Tamariki Ahuriri/Napier office before joining private practice in February 2022.

Janet joined the Willis Legal Family Team as a Senior Solicitor in May 2023 with a wealth of knowledge across all aspects of family law and can assist clients with Care of Children, Oranga Tamariki, Family Violence, Relationship Property, plus Wills and Estates matters.

Personal Assistant

Rebecca Scott

Contact Janet

Email: jvaiusu-tuala@willislegal.co.nz

John Callinicos

LL.B, BCom (Canterbury) 2022

John started with Willis Legal in early 2023 as a Law Clerk, being admitted to the bar in November 2023. He is working under the esteemed Lawrie Willis and enjoys helping clients with their residential property transactions.

When not at work, you’ll likely find John on the water (sailing), on the golf course, or playing basketball.

Personal Assistant

Wendy Apperley

Contact John

Email: jcallinicos@willislegal.co.nz

Georgia Mossman

LL.B, BA (Canterbury) 2019

Georgia is a senior solicitor here at Willis Legal. After obtaining her law degree from the University of Canterbury, she moved to Auckland where she worked in two general law practices. She gained wide expertise in residential and commercial property as well as relationship property, particularly separation and contracting out agreements.

When she’s not at work, Georgia loves walking her beloved sausage dog, Raisin and getting outside into her garden.  She’s recently taken up pottery so we may see some lovely homemade pots around the office in the future!

Georgia enjoys simplifying matters for clients and making what may be daunting and stressful times smoother for them.

Personal Assistant

Belinda Clibborn

Contact Georgia

Email: gmossman@willislegal.co.nz
Phone: 06 835 3229